In brief
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced legal action against the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, claiming they defamed him with a report that the United Arab Emirates president warned him of a planned Hamas attack before 7 October 2023. The newspaper’s claim relies on unpublished conversations reportedly held with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed. Netanyahu’s office calls the report a “sinister plot” and says no such warning was received, sparking sharp criticism from opposition leaders who demand an independent inquiry into the attacks. The dispute escalates as Israel enters a decisive election period, underscoring deep divisions over accountability and media freedom.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has instructed lawyers to file defamation proceedings against the Israeli daily Ha Haaretz.
The lawsuit follows Haaretz’s report that Emirati President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed had warned Netanyahu in September 2023 that Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar was planning a major attack – an allegation that would precede the deadly Hamas assault on 7 October.
In response, Netanyahu’s office dismissed the claim as a “sinister plot” and stated that no warning had been received from the United Arab Emirates. The Prime Minister’s administration insists the article aims to silence journalistic criticism.
Haaretz maintains the report is based on extensive research, citing three senior foreign sources and a Palestinian adviser to Sheikh Mohammed. The newspaper’s lawyers counter that the story is a legitimate, public‑interest investigation and cautions against attempts to suppress independent journalism.
The controversy has intensified with Israel’s forthcoming national election, scheduled for 27 October. Opposition leaders – Gadi Eisenkot, Naftali Bennett, Avigdor Lieberman and Yair Golan – have already demanded a full inquiry into the 7 October events.
The UAE, while not denying the conversation, has stressed its commitment to de‑escalation and regional stability following the attacks. No formal diplomatic response to the claim has yet been issued by the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Israel.
Amid these tensions, the national media remain under scrutiny as the election campaign grows hotter and the stakes for accountability among Israel’s leaders continue to rise.
